RI House votes on psilocybin legalization; Mike Pence’s marijuana remarks; CT recreational cannabis sales surpass medical cannabis; UFCW op ed
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Top Things to Know
The Rhode Island House of Representatives has passed a bill that legalizes possession and cultivation of Psilocybin Mushrooms.
Minnesota’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has announced that it is “working on” expunging marijuana convictions in accordance with the new state legalization law.
Marijuana Moment has compiled an overview of where Republican Presidential Candidate Mike Pence stands regarding cannabis.
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He voted against federal raids on state medical cannabis laws six times in Congress and called marijuana a gateway substance. He signed a criminal justice bill with provisions that reduced some marijuana penalties as governor.
Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection reports that retailers sold $22.7 Million worth of legal marijuana in May. This is a new monthly record. Recreational sales have now surpassed medical cannabis for first time.
Ademola Oyefeso, a member of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, wrote an op-ed for Marijuana Moment in which she argued that worker protections should grow along with cannabis industry growth.
The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission has awarded the first licenses for dispensaries, cultivation, testing, transport, and processing.
Federal
The House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee held a roundtable on psychedelics and PTSD.
Sen. Jeff Merkley, (D-OR), tweeted: “The SAFE Banking Act is bipartisan because it makes sense. Legal cannabis businesses should have access to the financial services that they need. I’m trying to get this bill on the Senate floor.”
Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a Democratic Texas Representative, said that it was “time to get federal protections in place and legalize marijuana”.
Rep. Greg Murphy (R – NC) has called the decriminalization of drugs “outrageous and negligent”.
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-SC, suggested that Keith Olbermann was hallucinating and smoking “stale marijuana” during a discussion about the handling of classified documents by former Secretary Hillary Clinton.
/ STATES
Delaware Gov. John Carney (D), the governor of Delaware, announced that he has chosen John Carney to be the top marijuana regulator in his state.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, a Republican, vetoed a medical cannabis reform omnibus bill. This was due to concerns over a provision that would have extended the implementation of new licensing fees for cultivation operations. Separately the Attorney General sent a release in which he praised the Governor and legislators for passing other marijuana legislation during this session.
Wisconsin Gov. Wisconsin Gov.
A Massachusetts Representative spoke about her bill that would decriminalize psychedelics.
The Minnesota representative, who sponsored the now-enacted bill legalizing marijuana, said that there are Republican legislators who did not vote for it but secretly are happy it passed.
Trulieve contributed another $550,000 to a Florida marijuana legalization campaign.
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina is considering putting a referendum on marijuana legalization on their September ballot.
Missouri regulators have defended the initial steps they took to implement a microlicense program for marijuana.
Colorado Department of Transportation has launched a new educational campaign to discourage young people from driving while impaired by marijuana.
Vermont regulators will be conducting an listening tour this month to discuss new rules for hemp-derived products.
Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Advisory Board has posted a schedule of meetings for the coming months.
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/ LOCAL
Lubbock activists plan to launch a campaign to put a local decriminalization of marijuana initiative on the ballot.
/ SCIENCE AND HEALTH
According to a review, CBD is a novel treatment for Lennox Gastaut syndrome, Tuberous Sclerosis Complex and Dravet Syndrome. The data supporting CBD’s application in anxiety, Parkinson’s Disease and schizophrenia, pain, autoimmune disease, osteoporosis, and anti-aging is promising. However, more research with larger groups of patients will be needed to confirm its role in modern medical practice.
One study showed “continued robust response and remission of depression with a one-dose of psilocybin” and concurrent psychological support for patients with cancer.
ADVOCACY / OPINION, ANALYSIS & OPINION
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (NAACP LDEF), National Council of Churches and Drug Policy Alliance sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to grant clemency for people convicted of federal crack-cocaine offenses.
BUSINESS
Major League Baseball and the co-founders of Charlotte’s Web Holdings, Inc. have instructed to withhold voting for four out of six nominees.
Canopy Growth Corporation has provided an update regarding its management cease-trade order and stated that it is working closely with auditors to finish restated financial statements.
Michigan retailers sold 245,9 millions dollars worth of legal marijuana in May.
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Photo by Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
The article MN cannabis exclusion effort begins (Newsletter – June 13, 2023 first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
